Residents Reminded about Climate Change Strategy

Local people have just a week left to give their views on South Tyneside Council's emerging climate change strategy.

The council is currently consulting residents to help inform its strategy for slashing its carbon emissions.

In July this year South Tyneside Council declared a climate emergency and pledged to take all necessary steps to make the council carbon neutral by 2030.

It committed to producing a climate change strategy, supported by a five-year action plan, by March 31, 2020. It also pledged to become a champion for a carbon neutral future for the Borough.

The consultation period ends next Friday, January 17.

Cllr Joan Atkinson, Lead Member for Area Management and Community Safety, with responsibility for climate change, said: "Climate change is an issue that affects each and every one of us so it's important that we listen to people's views on how we as a council can continue to cut our carbon emissions. We'd encourage residents who haven't already filled in the survey to do so before consultation ends next week.

"We set ourselves an ambitious target to do all we can to make the council carbon neutral by 2030 and we have to decide how to prioritise our time and resources to achieve that. We'd welcome any suggestions from residents.

"Council emissions account for less than five per cent of borough-wide emissions, but we need to lead by example and look at our own operations first to see how and where we can make the greatest impact."

Emissions from civic buildings, leisure facilities and street lighting account for 71% of the council's total emissions.

Cllr Atkinson added: "We've already significantly reduced the council's overall carbon footprint by delivering innovative energy solutions, replacing old and inefficient buildings with modern, centralised hubs and increasing our on-site electricity generation.

"We've invested £1.5million in converting more than a quarter of our street lights to LEDs and we are committed to embedding renewable solutions and efficiency measures into our business, but we know there is still more to do if we are to meet our target."

Residents can have their say at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/climatechange. People who do not have access to a computer can visit their local library for assistance or hard copies can be printed on request for those who need them at The Word, Hebburn Central and Jarrow Focus.